CIVIC leaders in Winton are asking for the public's help to tackle a spate of graffiti.

Bournemouth Council figures show the authority spent more than £92,000 removing graffiti around the town in the 12 month period up to the end of January this year, and councillor Pat Oakley said Winton's high street has been hit particularly hard in recent weeks.

Now traders are offering a reward for information which leads to any of the perpetrators being prosecuted.

"Graffiti seems to be out of control at the moment and we want to put a stop to it," said cllr Oakley.

"It just brings down the tone of the whole area. We are very proud of Winton and are working hard on Winton in Bloom at the moment.

"We will do our best to get what is here at the moment cleaned up - which is not always that easy as we have get the permission of the property owners - but we want to find out who the vandals are."

The authority is planning to put more CCTV in the area, but cllr Oakley, fellow Winton East ward member Don McQueen and John Slade - secretary of the Winton Traders' Association - want residents to help them identify the culprits. The association is offering a £100 reward for information which leads to a successful prosecution.

Residents are being urged to get a photo of anyone spraying graffiti on a wall and send it to the My Bournemouth app or email it to ask@bournemouth.gov.uk.

"There has been a lot of comment from local traders," said Mr Slade.

"This graffiti brings the place down. It is such a shame, particularly as the street cleaners do such a great job.

"We want to catch those responsible although of course we don't want anyone putting themselves at risk."

In particular, the authority wants to apprehend a prolific offender who uses the tag "Pesto".

Graffiti can be reported to the council by telephone on 01202 451451.